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City of Orlando begins releasing Pulse-related records

In addition to investigation details, also included in the released documents were hundreds of text messages and emails from emergency officials. Summer Knowles reports.

City of Orlando begins releasing Pulse-related records

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Updated: 11:06 PM EDT Jun 28, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. —

The Orlando Fire Department said there’s no indication exits at the Pulse nightclub were obstructed at the time of its most recent exit check. But text messages between the fire marshal and fire chief indicate “maybe one or two” exits were blocked by a soda machine at some point before the June 12 mass shooting.

It’s unclear whether any exits were blocked at the time of the shooting, however.

According to the documents, the fire department lists the building's maximum occupancy at 299. On the day of the shooting, Orlando Police Chief John Mina said initial indications pointed to about 320 people inside the club that night.

According to the nightclub's attorney, none of the club's six exit doors were blocked. He said a door to the outside located behind the bar is not an exit door and not used by employees or patrons.

A statement from the Orlando Fire Department after the initial document release Tuesday said “there is no pattern of exits being blocked inside Pulse,” including the most recent exit check conducted May 21.

The fire department said the engineer who conducted the check reported zero life-safety issues and only two minor infractions:

A fire extinguisher on the ground instead of hanging on the wall, which was immediately corrected.

One exit sign was in need of battery for back-up power

No obstructed exits

No exits doors locked

No obstructed aisles

No improper locks on exit doors

According to the fire department, city code requires two exits for a building with the size and use of Pulse.

“Recent records indicate there was not a pattern of being over capacity,” the fire department said.